Combined chain belt and elevator conveyer



y 2, 1950 D. JOURNEAUX 2,506,425

COMBINED emu BELT mmv ELEVATOR CONVEYER Filed Sept. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l l l I l I l l I I l I r May 2,1950 D. JOURNEAUX 2,505,425

COMBINED 0mm BELT AND ELEVATOR CONVEYER Filed Sept. 14, 1945' 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 2, 1950 D. JOURNEAUX CDIBINED CHAIN BELT AND ELEVATOR CONVEYER Filed Sept.' 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1950 D. JOURNEAUX I 2,506,425

wCQIBINED CHAIN BELT AND ELEVATOR CQNVEYER Filed Sept. 14, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MMXQL Patented May 2, 1950 COMBINED CHAIN BELT AND ELEVATOR CONVEYER.

Didier J ourneaux,

waukee,

Wauwatosa, Wis., Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing assignor .to Company, Mil- Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application'September 14, 1945, Serial No. 616,285 I6 Claims. (01. 266-4) This invention relates in general to improve-- ments in belt and elevator conveyer means and more particularly to belt and conveyer means for use in moving a series of identical objects in an out of inductive relation with a heating inductor and in and out of quenching position with respect to a quenching nozzle.

When identical objects in large number are to be heat treated by induction the objects may sometimes be deposited on a conveyer to move use in heat treating a series of identical objects utilizing a conveyer of the chain belt type for positioning the objects in a station for further them successively past a stationary inductor so disposed as to induce heating currents in the desired portions of the objects. Satisfactory and economical heating of objects by induction, however, generally requires that the objects be inserted within an inductor rather than being merely brought alongside thereof. The objects progressing on a conveyer may accordingly be arrested in their transit while an inductor is momentarily disposed in inductive relation therewith. Such arrangements require that the inductor be provided with flexible or detachable connections and, when the heating operation is to be followed by a quench, the mechanism for coordinately positioning the inductor and the quenching nozzle becomes excessively complicated.

It is therefore more advantageous to convey the objects by means of a chain belt which lends itself readily to the deposit of objects thereon and to the removal of objects therefrom, and to utilize a stationary inductor and a stationary quenching nozzle disposed in vertical alignment with a work loading station at which the objects may be stopped in their transit. A vertical elevator may then be caused to move the objects from the work loading station into suitable positions defining work processing stations with respect to the inductor and to the quenching nozzle and thereafter return the objects to the conveyer at the work loading station or at another point thereof defining a work unloading station. The objects may be directly transferred between the conveyer and the elevator or may be moved therebetween by gravity through a suitable chute. The objects may require being moved transversely through the chute, which is then provided with hinged rails disposed to yield to permit passage of the objects therebetween in one direction. The diiierent elements of the system may be controlled by timing means operating continuously or in response to the arrival of an object into the loading station.

It is therefore a purpose of the present invention to provide an improved conveyer system for handling through a cycle of operations.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyer system of use in heat treating a series of identical objects in which objects may be deposited at random on a conveyer for transfer to a predetermined station.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyer system for use in heat treating a series of identical objects in which objects may be automatically positioned at a station for vertical movement into a position in inductive relation with an inductor.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyer system for use in heat treating a series of identical objects in which an object may be moved transversely through a chute serving for the transfer thereof to bring the objects into a position in inductive relation with an inductor.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved conveyer system for use in' heat treating a series of identical objects in which an object may be held in inductive relation with an inductor while another object is being held in a quenching nozzle associated with the inductor.

Other purposes and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammaticallyillustrates one embodiment of the present invention utilizing an elevator passing through a chain belt conveyer for lifting objects from the conveyer into an inductor and into a quenching nozzle and for returning the objects to the conveyer;

Fig. 2 is a view in cross section of the conveyor taken along line II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a modified embodiment of the present invention in which the objects are transferred between the conveyer and the elevator by means of a stationary loading chute and of a hinged rail unloading chute;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the hinged rail unloading chute of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 diagrammatically illustrates another modified embodiment of the present invention in which objects are transferred from the con- "veyer into a loading station by a chute including a hinged rail section and are moved through an inductor and a quenching nozzle by the cooperative action of two vertical elevators;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the hinged rail mechanism of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. and Fig. 7 diagrammatically illustrates another modified embodiment of the present inyention in which objects are transferred from the conveyer to the inductor by a traveling vertical elevator and are moved from the inductor through a quenching nozzle and deposited in an unloading chute by another elevator.

Elements having the same function are designated by the same character of reference in the different figures. It will be understoodthat elements of any of the embodiments herein illustrated may also be combined with elements of the other embodiments to form further embodiments of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, the system illustrated in Fig. 1- is assumed to serve for heat treating the rims of a series of identical wheels II. are to be heated by induction of current therein from a suitable inductor I2 energized through a switch I3 from any suitable source of alternating current conventionally represented as a synchronous generator I4. If the rims are to be quenched after being heated, as is usually desired, inductor I2 is associated with a quenching nozzle I5 which may be supplied with water or other quenching fluid under pressure from a reservoir is through parallel magnet valves I'I, I8. Nozzle I5 is dis posed in vertical alignment with inductor I2 to the extent that wheels Il may be moved by a vertical translatory movement from a position in inductive relation with inductor I2 into a quenching position with respect to nozzle l5.

Inductor I2 and nozzle I5 are disposed above a conveyer I9 comprising a pair of chain belts 2| driven by any suitable means, such as a variable speed electric motor 22, through a pair of sprocket wheels 23. Belts 2i are supported on rollers 24 which maintain the belts so spaced that the rims of wheels II rest on the belts while the hubs of the wheels may extend between the belts. The top surface of belts 2I is preferably smooth to permit the belts to slip under any wheel which meets an obstruction during the progression thereof on the belts.

Conveyer I9 is associated with a movable stop 25 for stopping a wheel progressed on belts 2| at a loading station 26 in vertical alignment with inductor I2 and nozzle I5. Guides 21 may be provided for centering wheels II on conveyer I9 to cause the wheels to assume an accurately defined position in a work loading station 26. Stop 25 is so pivoted and weighted as to normally r e. main out of engagement with the wheels progressed by the conveyer toward a parallel rail' unloading chute 28. The stop may be moved into] the operative position shown by means of any suitable actuating means such as a pneumatic motor 3| to stop a wheel 29 in station 26. Air

under pressure may be supplied to motor 3| from a reservoir 32 through a magnet valve 33. A switch 34 is disposed to be actuated through a pushrod in response to movement of a wheel .into the loading station for connecting a battery 35 or other suitable source of current with a variable speed electric motor 36 driving a timer 31.

Wheel 29 may be lifted into inductor I2 by means of a vertical elevator 38 which may be supplied with compressed air from reservoir 32 through a magnet valve 39. The ram of elevator 38 is provided with a suitable holder 4| adapted to be raised between belts 2| to engage portions of wheel 29 remote from the portion to be heat The rims I ward movement from its top position the elevator may be stopped by means of a latch 92 at a second work processing station for holding the wheel in quenching position within nozzle I 5. Latch 42 may engage holder 9i at one or more points thereof and may be withdrawn by means of a pneumatic motor :13. Reservoir 32 may be connected with motor 93 through a magnet valve 46. While elevator 33 is in raised position the wheels deposited on the conveyer are prevented from progressing into the work loading, station a 25 by means of a latch 65. The latch may be released by a pneumatic motor 66 connected with reservoir 32 through a magnet valve 91.

Motor 22, closing coil I3a of the inductor switch I3 and the actuating coils of the magnet valves may be connected with battery 35 in the proper sequence through segments of timer 3i. Coil I3a may also be continuously excited through a switch 39 Hit is desired to maintain inductor I 2 connected with generator M. Motor 22 may likewise be continuously maintained in operation by means of a switch 59. Operation of timer motor 33 under the control oi the segments of timer 3! may be initiated manually by means of a pushbutton switch 5i and may be interrupted upon return of the timer into the position shown by means of a switch 52 connected in series with a switch 39.

The system shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated assuming that the system is in normal operation, with timer 3? in position number I thereof reached upon completion of the cycle of heat treatment of a wheel. The sequence of operation of the system will be described as established by one revolution of timer 3? with reference to the different positions thereof numbered I to I2 on the drawing.

1. Segment 31 connects coil 96a with battery 35 to maintain latch 62 withdrawn. Segment 31g connects coil 33a with the battery to maintain stop 25 in the operative position shown. Segment 31h connects motor 22 with the battery. and the motor drives conveyer I9 to progress wheel 29 into the work loading station 26 and progress the following wheel into engagement with latch 45. Wheel29 abuts against stop 25 and pushrod 36 to cause closure of switch .34, which connects motor 36 with the battery to cause timer 31 to be actuated into position '2.

2. Segment 31a maintains motor 33 energized independently of switch 34.' Segment 31h disconnects motor 22 from the battery to cause conveyer I9 to stop.

3. Segment 3'Ii connects coil 39a with the battery to cause elevator 38 to lift wheel 29 from the work loading station 26 into the first work processing station, in which the wheel 29 is in inductive relation with inductor I2.

4. Segment 3'Ie connects coil I311. with the battery, and switch I3 closes to connect inductor I2 with generator I4. The rim of wheel 29 is thereby heated by induction during a length of time depending on the speed of motor 36 and on the length of segment 3Ie.

different positions of ele- Segment 31g dis swam stop 25. to pivot out f 5. Segment m disconnects coll m to cause latch 42 to advance into its'operating position.

6. Segment fle disconnects coil lie to cause inductor l2 to be disconnected from generator Segment fli disconnects coll 99a to cause elevator 96 to drop until holder 4| is arrested by latch 42 to hold wheel 29 in the second work processing station in quenching position within nozzle l5.

7. Segments 91c, 91d connect coils Ila and Ila with the battery to cause valves l1 and i6 to supply cooling water from reservoir It to nozzle I at the maximum rate. The rim of wheel 29 is thereby intensely cooled to cause hardening of the surface thereof.

8. Segment 91c disconnects coil I'Ia to cause valve I! to close. Valve ll supply cooling water to nozzle i5 at a reduced rate suilicient to bring wheel 29 to ambient temperature with a reduced expenditure of cooling fluid.

9. Segment 91d disconnects coil I 8a to terminate the supply of cooling water to nozzle I5. Segment 31f reconnects coil 44a to cause latch 42 to be withdrawn and release elevator 99, which drops wheel 29 back into loading the work station 26. The elevator returns to the position shown, whereby wheel 29 is unloaded from holder 4!. Segment 31h reconnects motor 22, which drives conveyer l9 to station 26 past stop 25 toward chute 26.

10. Segment 21g reconnects coil 39a to cause stop 25 to return to the position shown.

11. Segment 311' connects coil 41a with the battery to cause latch 45 to release the foremost wheel II for progression'into station :26 while holding back the following wheel.

12. Segment 31d disconnects coil 41a to cause latch 45 to return to the position shown. The wheel previously held by the left end of latch 45 progresses into abutment with the right end of the latch.

The above outlined sequence of operation is repeated upon each arrival of a wheel into the work loading station 26 to close switch 34. To start the system in the absence of a wheel in the work loading station 26 the conveyer is placed in operation by closing switch 49, and wheels are loaded thereon to cause a wheel to reach a position in engagement with latch 45. One wheel may then be caused to progress into the work loading station 26 by manually actuating latch 45 or by momentarily closing switch 5| to cause timer 3'! to operate through a complete revolution. When the operation of the system is to be interrupted, switch 52 is opened to cause motor 36 to become deenergized upon disconnection thereof by segment 91a in response to the next return of timer 3'! into the position shown.,

The above described operation of the system illustrated in Fig. 1 assumes that wheels are deposited on conveyer I9 at substantially the rate at which the wheels are heat treated in inductor I2 and nozzle l5. It is however often desirable to load wheels on the conveyer in batches at relatively long intervals. For this purpose switch 49 may be closed to continuously maintain conveyer i9 in operation. The wheels loaded on the conveyer then are progressed until they abut against each other and are held stationary by means of latch 45. The conveyer chain belts slip under the wheels except when the wheels are allowed to progress in response to operation of latch 45.

Fig. 3 diagrammatically illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention in which theconveyer operates continuously and in which batches of wheels deposited on the conveyer may be then continues to progress wheel 29 out of stored in a chute to avoid the wear and expenditure of energy incidental to slippage of the chain belts under a batch of wheels. Wheels ll are accordingly elevated by the conveyer into a predetermined position at a higher level than thework loading station 26. The conveyer transfers the wheels from the elevated position to a chute 53 consisting of inclined parallel rails for conveying the wheels by gravity toward the work loading station 26 in vertical alignment with inductor i2. Chute 52 is extended by a recessed level section 54 serving as a stop for positioning a wheel in station 26'. While chute 53 is shown as containing only two wheels to simplify the drawing, it will be understood that the chute may be made. of the required size for storing at least the number of wheels it at one time on the conveyer.

The heat treated wheels are unloaded from elevator 36 when in a predetermined position by means of an unloading chute 55 consisting principally of a pair of parallel inclinedflxed rails which convey the wheels back to belts 2! for further progression thereof. The point at which the wheels are deposited from the chute 55 onto the belts 2| may be defined as a work unloading station. Chute 55 further comprises a pair of hingedly supported inclined rails 56 disposed vertically above station 26 in axial alignment therewith. Rails 56 are mounted on any suitable bearings such as journal bearings 51 associated with stops 56 for releasably holding the rails in the position shown against the action of gravity. When rails 56 are in the position shown they are distant by less than the diameter of wheels H, but they may be swung apart against the action of gravity by upward passage of a wheel therebetween to become distant by more than the diameter of the wheel. When rails 56 are releasedby the wheel they return to the position shown by gravity but are cleared by holder 4|. Simultaneous and positive operation of the rails may be insured by interconnecting the rails through a connecting rod 59, as shown in Fig. 4, and by providing the rails with a counterweight 6l' In the present embodiment segment 31 is unnecessary, and segments 31d, 31c, 31h have also been omitted to simplify the drawing. It will be understood however that the supply of quenching water to nozzle i5 and the energization of inductor i2 and of the conveyer motor may be again effected and controlled as in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1. The operation of the system illustrated in Fig. 3 takes place as follows in response to movement of timer 91 through positions i to 9 thereof:

1. Segment 31f connects coil 44a with the battery to maintain latch 42 withdrawn. Switch 94 is closed by progression of wheel 29 into the work loading station 26 to connect timer motor 36 with the battery.

2. Segment 31a maintains timer motor 36 energized independently of switch 34.

3. Segment 3112 connects coil 39a with th battery to cause elevator 38 to lift wheel 29 through rails 56 and throughnozzle l5 into inductor J2. The wheel swings rails 56 apart, and the rails drop back into the position shown after being released by the wheel. Wheel 29 is held in a first work processing station within inductor i2 by elevator 36 for heating the rim of the wheel during a is desired to deposit 5. segment 311' disconnects coil 39a from the battery to cause elevator 38 to drop until holder 4| is arrested by latch 42 to hold wheel 29 in a second work processing station in quenching position.

6. Segment 31c connects coil I'Ia with the battery to cause nozzle I to be supplied with quenching water during a length of time depending on the length of the segment and on the speed of motor 36.

7. Segment 31c disconnects coil IIa from the battery to terminate the quenching operation. Segment 31f reconnects coil 44a with the battery to cause latch 42 to be withdrawn. Elevator 38 drops to the bottom position thereof but wheel 29 is retained on rails 56, which are supported by stops 58. The wheel slides on rails 56 and 55 and is deposited at a work unloading station on belts 2I.

8. Segment 317 connects coil Ma with the battery to causeactuation of latch 45. The latch releases the bottom wheel contained in chute 53 to enable the wheel to slide into the work loading station 26.

9. Segment 31a disconnects coil dla from the battery to cause latch 45 to return to the posi- 1 tion shown. The wheels remaining in chute 53 are thereby allowed to progress by the diameter of one wheel.

In the systems illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 inductor I2 is utilized for the heating of wheels during only a fraction of the time. By providing a pair of cooperating elevators or equivalent wheel moving means for simultaneously holding one wheel in the inductor of the first work processing station and another wheel in the quenching nozzle of the second work processing station it is possible to utilize the inductor substantially without interruption. A system of the latter character is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein chute 53 leads wheels I I to a pair of horizontal rails 62 mounted in suitable bearings such as journal bearings 63. Rails 62 are preferably connected by a connecting rod 64, as shown in Fig. 6, to cause the rails to swing in unison and are biased by means of a counter weight 65 tending to cause the rails to be swung upward. A stop 61 cooperating with a lug 68 mo-nted on one of rails 62 releasably holds the rails in the position shown against the action of gravity.

Rails 62 are associated with a latch 68 for preventing the rails from being swung downward by the weight of a wheel loaded thereon. A pneumatic motor 69 may be connected with reservoir 32 through a magnet valve II to cause withdrawal of latch 68. The 'wheels stored in chut 53 are positioned one after the other in the loading station on rails 62 by means of guides 21 and of a stop 12..

The wheel located in the work loading station 26 may be moved downward through rails 62 into inductor I2 by means of a depending vertical elevator I3 which may be connected with reservoir 32 through a magnet valve I4. A suitable holding member such as an electromagnetic chuck I5 is provided for releasably suspending a wheel from elevator I3. The wheels stored on chute 53 are held by latch 45 which, in the present embodiment, may be arranged to release the lowermost wheel without holding the remaining wheels.

lit

Segment 31a is omitted and timer 31 is arranged to operate continuously for the reason that when a wheel is moved in the loading station the preceding wheel is still in process of being heated.

Timer motor 36 is connected with battery 35 through contacts 441) of magnet valve M or through contacts V I0 of magnet valve ll. Timer segments 31m, 3111. are provided for controlling the energization of coil 15a of chuck l5 and of coil 'IIa respectively. A switch It is inserted in the circuit of coil Ila to permit interrupting the transfer of wheels from the work loading station to the work processing station comprising the inductor I2 and thereafter causing timer 3? to stop when the wheel being heated has been deposited at a work unloading station on belts 2 I.

The sequence of operation of the system starting with timer 3? in the position shown is as follows:

1. Wheel 29 is positioned against stop 32 by the pressure of the wheels stored in chute 53, but rails 62 are held in the position shown by latch 68 to hold wheel 29 in the loading station. Segment 37k connects coil Ma with the battery to cause elevator 73 to be held idle in th raised position. Segment 3'Ii connects coil 39a with the battery to cause elevator 38 to hold another wheel W in the first work processing station in inductive relation with. inductor I2.

2. Segment 31k disconnects coil 7 5a from the battery to cause elevator 73 to drop chuck E5 on wheel 29.

3. Segment 37m connects chuck coil 55a with the battery to cause chuck 15 to hold wheel 29 suspended from elevator it.

i. Segment Sfii disconnects coil 39a from the battery to cause elevator 38 to drop until holder BI engages latch 32 to hold wheel TI in the second work processing station in quenching nozzle I5. Simultaneously therewith or previously or subsequently thereto, segment 37c connects coil Ho with the battery to cause quenching water to be supplied to nozzle I5 to quench the rim of wheel 17. Segment 3712 connects coil 5 la with the battery to cause latch 68 to be withdrawn. Wheel 29 is lowered through rails 62 by elevator is, swinging the rails apart downward and stopping in the position previously occupied by wheel ll in inductor I2. Rails 62 are returned to the position shown by weight 65. Heating of wheel 29 thus begins while wheel 11 is being quenched and follows the heating of wheel I! substantially without interruption in the use of inductor I2. The wheels stored on chute 53 are held by latch 45 after wheel 29 leaves station 26. Operation of valve II also causes closure of contacts 'IIb completing a holding circuit independent of switch 16 for coil Ho and closure of contacts H0 in parallel with contacts 44b.

5. Segment 31c disconnects coil I'la from the battery to interrupt the supply of quenching water to nozzle I5. Segment 37 connects coil 44a with the battery to cause latch 42 to be withdrawn. Elevator 38 is thereby caused to return toward the bottom position thereof to unload wheel I1 at the work unloading station on belts 2| to be further progressed by the belts. Operation of valve 44 also causes opening of contacts 44b, which however are then short circuited by contacts I I0.

6. Segment 372' reconnects coil 39a with the battery to cause elevator 38 to return to the position shown in the first work processing station to support wheel 29, which is then being heated 1 in inductor I2.

7. Segment 31m disconnectscoll 1511 from the battery to cause chuck I to release wheel 29. Segment 81f disconnects coil 44a from the battery to cause latch 42 tobe advanced into the operative position shown. Contacts 44b are also reclosed to maintain motor 36 connected with the battery independently of contacts 1 lo.

8. Segment 31k connects coil 14a with the battery to cause elevator 13 to return to the raised position shown. Segment 3111. disconnects coil Ila from the battery to cause latch 68 to return to the engaged position shown and prevent rails 62 from being swung downward by an incoming wheel.

9. Segment 317 connects coil 41a with the battery to cause latch 45 to release the wheels stored in chute 53. The wheels progress by substantially the diameter of one wheel to bring the lowermost wheel into loading station 26.

10. Segment 317' disconnects coil 41a from the battery to cause latch 45 to return to the position shown to hold the wheels stored in chute 53 out of the path of chuck 15 when the wheel placed in the loading station is dropped through rails 82.

The above outlined sequence of operations is repeated during each revolution of timer 31, which rotates continuously. When it is desired to interrupt the operation of the system, switch 16 is opened to prevent energization of coil Ha. Subsequent transfer of a wheel from the work loading station 26 into inductor I2 by elevator 13 is thereby prevented independently of continued operation of timer 31. Motor 35 continues to drive timer 31 to cause the wheel then being heated or quenched to be subjected to its complete heat treatment. When timer 31 reaches position 5, valve 44 is actuated to cause elevator 38 to complete its cycle of operation and bring the heat treated wheel into the work unloading station on belts 2|. Contacts 44b open to disconnect motor 36 from the battery and thereby cause the timer-to stop.

If switch 16 is opened while coil Ha is already energized through segment am the coil is maintained energized through contacts MD to cause timer 3'! to continue to operate through the positions at which valve 44 is actuated, including position 5. Complete heat treatment of the wheel placed in inductor I2 is thereby insured and timer 3'! stops upon the next return thereof to position 5.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7 chute 53 and rails 62 are omitted to simplify the system. The wheels are progressed by the conveyer until they abut a fixed stop 18 and the conveyer may be allowed to operate continuously or to be driven intermittently under the control of timer segment 31h. To bring the wheels one at a time into a loading station corresponding to the work loading station 26 of Fig. 5, elevator I3 is mounted on a track 19 and is caused to travel thereon by a pneumatic motor 80 actuable against the action of a return weight 8| to cause the elevator" to assume a position above a wheel 82 abutting against stop 18. Motor 80 may be connected with reservoir 32 through a magnet valve 83 controlled by a segment 31p at the timer. Chuck 15 is preferably energized from battery 35 through segment 31m and through contacts 840 of a relay 84 controlled by a switch 85 cooperating with timer segment 31m. Contacts 84d of relay 84 are connected across contacts 44b in the circuit of motor 38. The sequence of operation of the system starting with timer 31 in the position shown is as follows:

1. Segment 31p connects coil 83a with the battery to cause motor to maintain elevator 13 above wheel 82 against the action of weight 8|. Segment 31k connects coil 14a with the battery to cause elevator 13 to hold'chuck 13 in the raised position shown. Segment 31: connects coil 39a with the battery to cause elevator 38 to hold wheel 11 in a first work processing station in inductor I2. l

2. Segment 31k disconnects coil 14a from the battery to cause elevator 13 to drop chuck l5'on wheel 82.

v3. Segment 37m connects coil 84a with the battery through switch 85. Relay 84 closes contacts 840 to connect coil 15a with the battery and thereby cause chuck 15 to hold Wheel 82. Relay 84 also closes contacts 84b to energizecoil 84a independently of switch and closes contacts 84d to short circuit contacts44b.

4. Segment 31k reconnects coil 14a with the battery to cause elevator 13 to lift wheel 82 from a work loading station on belts 2|. 7

5. Segment 31p disconnects coil 83a from the battery to enable weight 8| to move elevator 13 into vertical alignment with inductor l2.

6. Segment 3h disconnects coil 38a. from the battery to cause elevator 38 to drop until holder 4| engages latch 42 to hold wheel 11 in a second work processing station in quenching nozzle l5. Segment 31c connects coil Ila with the battery to cause quenching water to be supplied to nozzle [5. Segment 31k disconnects coil 14a from the battery to cause elevator 13 to lower wheel 82 into the space previously occupied by wheel 11 in inductor l2. Segment 31h. connects motor 22 with the battery to cause conveyer l9 to progress wheels I I at least until the foremost wheel l| engages stop 18.

7. Segment 37c disconnects coil l'la from the battery to interrupt the supply of quenching water to nozzle l5. Segment 31h disconnects conveyer motor 22 from the battery to cause conveyer l9 to stop. Segment 31 connects coil Me with the battery to cause latch 42 to be withdrawn. Elevator 38 drops to the bottom position. thereof but wheel 11 is retained in chute 55,

which deposits the wheel at a work unloading station on belts 2|. Wheel 11 is thereby immediately removed from the path of elevator 38 and the elevator may again be raised without waiting for the conveyer to resume its progression.

8. Segment 312' reconnects coil 39a with the battery to cause elevator 38 to rise to the top position thereof and support wheel 82, which is then being heated in inductor l2.

9. Segment 31f disconnects coil 44a from the battery to cause latch 42 to return to the advanced position shown. Contacts 44b are reclosed to connect timer motor 36 with the battery independently of contacts 84d.

10. Segment 37m disconnects coil 84a from the battery to cause relay 84 to return to the position shown. Relay 84 opens contacts 840 to deenergize coil 15a, and the chuck releases wheel 82, which is then supported by elevator 38.

11. Segment 31k: reconnects coil 14a with the battery to cause elevator 13 to raise chuck 15 into the top position thereof.

12. Segment 31p connects coil 83a with the battery to cause motor 80 to return elevator 13 into the position shown.

The operation of the system may be interrupted by opening switch 85. Relay 84 is thereby prevented from being energized through seg- 75 ment 31m, and coil |5a remains deenergized it upon the next descent of chuck 15 into engagement with a wheel so that the transfer of wheels from the conveyer to inductor 12 no longer can take place. The wheel being heated at the time of opening switch 85 however receives itscomplete heat treatment and is unloaded into chute 55 in response to operation of valve 44. Valve 44 also opens contacts b, therebydisconnecting motor 38 from the battery and stopping the operation of timer 31 at position 1 thereof If switch "85 is opened while relay 84 is already energized,

the relay remains energized through contacts 84b to cause timer 3! to continue to operate through position I. The wheel then, being held in inductor l2 receives its complete heat treatment and the timer stops upon the next return thereof into the position I at which the wheel is deposited in chute 55. A

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: I

1. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing a series'of objects, means for stopping at a work loading station one of said objects progressed by said conveyer, elevator means responsive to the deposition of said one of said objects in said work loading station for translating said one of said objects from said work loading station to a work processing station remote from said work loading station-releasable means for holding said one of said objects at said work processing station, and means for causing the return of said one of said objects to said conveyer at a work unloading station remote from said work loading station for resumption of progression of said one of said objects upon release of said object by said releasable means.

2. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing a series of objects, means operable during progressing movement of said conveyer for stopping at a work loading station one of said objects progressed by said conveyer, elevator means operable through said work loading station for moving said one of said objects, said elevator means having a lowered position under said work loading station and a raised position above said work loading station, a latch for stopping said elevator means intermediate said raised and lowered positions for holding said object at a work processing station above said work loading station, and means for releasing said latch after said elevator has been in said work process-' ing station for a predetermined time for returning said one of said objects from said work processing station to said conveyer.

3. In combination, a belt conveyer for pro-' gressing a series of objects, means actuated by one of said objects for stopping said conveyer in response to progression of said one of said objects by said conveyer into a work loading station, means comprising an elevator for translating said one of said objects from said work loading station to a work processing station, means for returning said one of said objects to said conveyer, and means controlled by said stopping means for causing resumption of progression of said conveyer after said elevator deposits said one of said objects on said conveyer.

4. In combination, a belt conveyer disposed for progressing an object, a first chute for the trans fer of said object by gravity between a work loading station and a work unloading station, the work unloading station being on said belt and the work loading station being remot from said belt, a second chute comprising a, pair of hinged supporting rails disposed in vertical alignment with the said other ofsaid positions and stop means for releasably holding said rails against the action of gravity, said rails when en aged with said stop means being distant by less than the width of said object and being "swingable against the action of gravity to become distant by more than the width of said object, and an elevator for moving said object from said work loading station through said chute, thereby causing said rails to be swung apart by passage of said objecttherebetween and to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween.

5. In combination, a belt conveyer 'for progressing an object, a loading chute for conveying said object by gravity from said conveyer, means associated with said chute for'positioning said object in a work loading station, an unloading chute comprising a pair of hingedly supported inclined rails disposed above said positioning means and stop means for releasably holding said rails against the action of gravity, said rails when,

engaged with said stop means being distant by less than the width of said object and being swingable apart against the action of gravit to become distant by more than the width of said object, and means comprising an elevator for raising said object into a work processing station above said work loading station, thereby causing said rails to be swung upward by passage of said object therebetween and to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween, said elevator lowering said object from said work processing station onto said rails and releasing said object for discharge thereof by said unloading chute in response to return of said elevator towards said work loading I station.

6. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing an object, means for transferring said object from said conveyer to a work loading station, means including a first elevator for moving said object from said work loading station to a first work processin station remot from said work loading station, and a second elevator for successively moving said object from said first work processing station to a second work processing station and from said second work processing station to a work unloading station.

7. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing an object, means for transferring said object from said conveyer to a work loading station, means including a first elevator for moving said object from said work loading station to a first work processing station remote from said work loading station, a second elevator operable for moving said object from said first elevator at said first work processing station to a second work processing station, and timing means comprising a clock mechanism for controllin said elevators for causing operation of said first elevator and for causing said second elevator to sucwith said stop means mechanism for controlling said elevators for s causing operation of said first elevator, and for causing said second elevator to successively move said one of said objects to said second work pro-' cessing station and from said second work processing station to a work unloading station, and for causing said first elevator to hold another of said objects in said first workprocessing station while said one of said objects is held by said second elevator in said second work processing station 9. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing an object, means for disposing said object in a work loading station, first and second elevators, means for suspending said objectrfrom said first elevator, and timing means comprising a clock mechanism controlling said elevators and said suspending means for successively causing said suspending means to hold said object, said first elevator to move said object from said work loading station into a first work processing station, said second elevator to support said object in said first work processing station, causing said suspending means to release said object, and causing said second elevator to move said object to a second work 'processing stationv and to a work unloading station.

10. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing a series of objects, means for disposing one of said objects in a work loading station, first moving means operable to move said one of said objects from said work loading station into a first work processing station, second moving means operable to move said one of said objects successively from said first work processingstation to a second work processing station and to a work unloading station, timing means comprising a clock mechanism controlling said moving means to cause operation thereof for the simultaneous holding of said one of said objects in said first work processing station and another of said objects in said second work processing station, and means for interrupting the operation of said timing means comprising means for interrupting the operation of said first moving means independently of said timing means and means responsive to operation of said timing means for causing completion of the operation of said second moving means.

11. In combination, chute means for the progression by gravity of an object, means defining a work loading station associated with said chute means for interrupting the progression of said object along said chute means, said chute means including a chute comprising a pair of hinged supporting rails at one end thereof and stop means for releasably holding said rails against the action of gravity, said rails when engaged being distant by less than the width of said object and being swingable against the action of gravity to become distant by more than the width of said object, and anelevator for moving said object vertically from said work loading station through said chute, thereby causing said rails to be swung apart by the passage of said object therebetween and'to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween.

12. In combination, gression of an object by gravity, means defining a work loading station associated with said first chute for interrupting the progression of said object along said chute, a second chute comprising a pair of hinged supporting rails disposed in vertical alignment with said work loading station and stop means for releasably holding said rails against the action of gravity, said rails when engaged with said stop means being distant by less than the width of said object and being swingable against the action of gravity to become distant by more than the width of said object, and an elevator for moving said object from said work loading station through said second chute, thereby causing said rails to be swung apart by passage of said object therebetween and to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween.

13. In combination, a loading chute for conveying an object by gravity, meansassociated g with said chute for positioning said object in a workloading station, an unloading chute comprising a pair of hingedly supported inclined rails disposed above said work loading station and stop means for releasably holding said rails against the action of gravity, said rails when engaged with said stop means being distant by less than the width of said object and being swingable apart against the action of gravity to become distant by more than the width of said object, and means comprising an elevator for raising said object into a work processing station above said work loading station, thereby causing said rails to be swung upward by passage of said object therebetween and to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween, said elevator lowering said object from said work processing station onto said rails and releasing said object for discharge thereof by said unloading chute in response to return of said elevator towards said work loading station.

14. In combination, a belt conveyer for progressing a series of objects, means for maintain ing at a work loading station one of said objects progressed by said conveyer during continued movement of said conveyer, means defining a plurality of work processing stations, elevator means for translating said one 01' said objects from said work loading station to a first of said work processing stations remote from said work loading station, timing means for causing said elevator means to translate said object from said first of said work processing stations to a second of said work processing stations remote from said work loading station after a predetermined time, said timing means being operative after a further predetermined time to return said object from said second of said work processing stations to said conveyer.

15. In combination, a belt conveyer disposed for progressing an object, a chute for the transfer of said object by gravity between two stations, one of said stations being on said conveyer and the other of said stations being remote from said conveyer, and an elevator for moving said object vertically from either of said stations to the other of said stations through said chute, said chute comprising a pair of hinges at one end thereof having their respective axes on opposite sides of said elevator, a pair of supporting rails a first chute tor the pro.- I

tion of gravity to become distant by more than the width of said object, whereby movement of said object by said elevator causes said rails to be swung apart by passage of said object therebetween and causes said rails to return into engagement with said stop means after passage of said object therebetween.

16. In combination, a belt conveyer disposed for progressing an object, means operable during continuing movement of said conveyer for stopping in a work loading station one of said objects progressed by said conveyer, vertical elevator means operable through said work loading station, said elevator means having a predetermined stroke ending at a first work processing station,

.means for arresting said elevator means at a second work processing station remote from said work loading station and intermediate said predetermined stroke, and means responsive to deposition of said object in said work loading station for causing said elevator means to move said object from said loading station successively to either one of said work processing stations, to the other of said work processing stations, and back to said conveyer.

DIDIER JOURNEAUX.

REFERENCES CITED- The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,367,124 Colby Feb. 1, 1921 1,702,985 Twyman Feb. 19, 1929 2,093,061 Wallace Sept. 14, 1937 2,172,386 Hufl Sept. 12, 1939 2,182,799 Farr Dec. 12, 1939 2,280,064 Denneen et al. Apr. 21, 1942 2,282,322 Denneen et al. May 12, 1942 2,296,201 Carter Sept. 15, 1942 2,325,079 Boderholm July 27, 1943 2,352,709 Haase July 4, 1944 2,352,762 Bell July 4, 1944 2,367,505 Kane Jan. 16, 1945 2,407,230 Furkert Sept. 10, 1946 2,414,362 Denneen et al. Jan. 14, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Steel, July 9, 1945, page 104. 

